Ex-crime boss Richard Mdluli pleads not guilty to looting police slush fund

Former Crime Intelligence (CI) boss Richard Mdluli and his co-accused, who are charged with looting the police’s slush fund, have pleaded not guilty at the start of their corruption trial.

The opening of the trial has been repeatedly postponed due to numerous setbacks.

Mdluli and his co-accused, former South African Police Service (Saps) supply chain manager Heine Barnard and former chief financial officer of the State Security Agency (SSA) Solomon Lazarus, appeared in the Pretoria High Court on Monday.

Trial

The trial started with the state’s first witness, Colonel Kobus Roelofese, taking the stand.

Mdluli, Barnard and Lazarus are facing charges of corruption, fraud and theft relating to the police’s secret slush fund from the time they were employed by the Saps in the Crime Intelligence Services, between 2008 and 2012.

Charges include payments for private trips to China and Singapore, private use of witness protection houses, conversion of the property for personal use, and leasing of Mdluli’s private residence to the state to pay his bond, among other allegations.

In November last year, Mdluli’s attorney Ike Motloung asked the court for a postponement of the trial pending a leave to appeal a judgment that dismissed the former crime boss’ review of the police’s decision not to fund his defence.

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Leave to appeal

Investigating Directorate against Corruption (IDAC) spokesperson Henry Mamothame said the Pretoria High Court dismissed Mdluli’s application for a postponement.

“His application for leave to appeal is as a result of Saps’ refusal to pay for his legal fees.

“In dismissing Mdluli’s application, Judge Mudunwazi Makamu agreed with IDAC and highlighted that this matter has been on the court roll for a long time and that it prejudices the other two accused who placed it on record that they are ready to proceed with trial,” Mamothame said.

The trial is expected to continue on Tuesday.

Mamothame said IDAC was grateful that the case had finally gone on trial after numerous delays.

Jail time

Mdluli was jailed for five years for kidnapping, assault, and intimidation on 29 September 2020.

He and his accomplice Mthembeni Mthunzi were convicted of kidnapping and assaulting a man believed to be his partner’s lover, Oupa Ramogibe.

Mdluli had a long-term relationship with Tshidi Buthelezi dating back to his school days. During her relationship with him, she met Ramogibe and they began a relationship.

He was released on parole in July 2022 after serving a third of his sentence.

ALSO READ: Saps slush fund abuse case against Mdluli and co-accused delayed once again